Stethoscope



Feb. 17, 1931. T 1 CASE 1,793,057

STETHOSCOPE .Filed Dec. 19. 1929 Patented Feb. 17, 1931 PATENT OFFICE THI'IGLORE J'. CASE, OF ANN ARBOR, MICHGAN STETHGSCOPE Application filed December 19, 1929.

rThis invention relates to stethoscopes and has for its object to provide an improved means for audibly detecting very small vibrations such, for instance, as those set up by the muscles of the human body. A more specilic object is toprovide, in a stethoscope7 an improved means of rendering audible vibrations ol frequencies below 10,000 cycles per second, and more especially those below 200 second.y

1t is an object of this invention to provide an improved amplifying reproducer by Which small vibrations may be magnified to increase the intensity thereof and to utilize this increased ellect to vibratfx an air column with sul'icient magnitude to render 'the vibrations clearly audible.

"'.nother object is to provide a means for tively isolating the reproducer in such manner as to eliminate the disturbance of the air column or transmitter or other parts thereof by vibrations other tl an those it may be desired to listen to.

it is a further object of the invention to provide an isolated reproducer as described which will be readily adj 11s-table as to the desired pressures between the transmitter and a vibrating surface, or in another form so 'iesigned that the pressure on the surface to be examined can be varied at will simply by altering the pressure of the hand holding the instrument.

lt is likewise an object to provide a transmitter button which is variably adjustable at will to increase or decrease the degree of magnification and in order to render it adaptable to dill'erent vibration frequencies. By such provision a very irm contact between the adjustable support and the supporting surta may be had While at the same tim l allowing of a rather delicate adjustment to the presure on the transmitter button itselta In this connection it a still 'further and inlportant subsidiary object to irovide a tr nsmitei.' button operati very connected to a diaphragm by means of a resilient floating support wherein the yielding pressure of the resilient support is exerted in such maner as to maintain the diaphragm under Serial No. 415,222.

little or no tension in order to increase its sensitivity. i

itis a further object to provide a means whereby the surface of contact with the area to he examined can be varied at Will, and again, to provide a selective reproducer whereby the vibrations of low frequency Will he `transmitted to the diaphragm With little loss whereas the vibrations of higher frequencies will be relatively attenuated.

A still it'urther object is to provide an improved device of the class described Which will he very compact, very sturdy and inherently self protective due to the effective enclosure ot the delicate parts.

Still further objects and advantages subsidiary or incidental to the aforesaid objects, or resulting from the construction or operation of the invention as it maybe carried into ellect, Will become apparent as the said invention is hereinafter further disclosed.

ln carrying the said invention into el'l'ect, 1 may provide a pick-up mechanism so designed and so arranged that Waves of sound passing` from a fleshy medium of relatively great density to a gaseous medium (air) of relatively less density shall sulfer a. minimum of loss and reflection in this transition, a loss much less than that which occurs When the air column of a stethoscope is set in vibration directly by the vibrations in the flesh undergoing examination.

Figure 1 represents a transverse vertical section taken centrally through my improved device; and

Figure 2 shows a side elevation of a modification of the device shown in Figure 1.

Referring more particularly to the drawings, the numeral 1 refers to a transmitter button suitably attached to a beam 2 hingedly connected to a ring 3 at one end and to an arm i at its other end. The arm l is pivotally mounted also on the ring 3 at one end and has its other end rigidly attached to a diaphragm 5 snared in the ring 3 by a smaller' threaded ring 6. It ivill be noted that the connection between the beam 2 and the arm l is at a point closer to the hinged end of the arm 4 than to the diaphragm connection of this arm in order to provide a substantial leverage for any movement of the transmitter 1 to the diaphragm 5. The hinge joining the beam 2 and the ring 8 is preferably resilient, as illustrated, maintaining the diaphragm in a distended position until the pressure of contact on the button 1 shall overcome this resiliency and float the diaphragm in its most sentach-ment to the usual tubes and ear pieces (not shown). The toroidal member Vis externally attached as by embedding, to a rigid ring 9 threaded on its exterior surface to engage a mounting 10 which supports the torcidal member, diaphragm and transmitter. The mounting 10 extends downwardly asa protecting wall for the transmitter 1 and terminates in a resilient base ring 11. The ring 9 is adjustable with respect to th member 10 in or-der that the position of the transmitter may be altered to provide the desired pressure with a contacting surface to give the most favorable audition, and alsol lto permit the withdrawal of the'transmitter well up into the mounting 10'for protection when not in use.

According to the foregoing arrangement,

' it is obvious that vibrations from the handof an loperator or other external Vsources will not be transmitted to the diaphragm. 5 as the diaphragm is very effectively isolated from all parts except the transmitter 1 even though a very firm pressure be applied to the top of the toroidal member.

' It is preferred to make'the transmitter 1 adjustable along the length ofthe/beam 2 in order that sensitivity of the instrument to dierent vibration frequencies may be obtained, so that by adjusting the transmitter along the beam it may be set at the best point .for effecting the reproduction of any desired vibration. be effected with the transmitter adjusted to several different points along the beam and certain vibrations thereby more or Vless isolated for the better determination'of the actual conditions, as will be readily understood by those skilled in use of stethoscopes. In Figure 1 the beam'is shown as being provided with a plurality of orifices 2f* in spaced relation along Vits length, into any one of which the stem of the transmitter 1 may be inserted.

It is further evident that transmitter buttons of vany size may be readily employed, thereby making possible the examination of either small or large areas.

Thus several examinations may Y them to the diaphragm whereas the lower i frequencies are passed without attenuation.

In Figure 2 is shown a modification wherein a transmitter button 12 is carried by ak beam 13 attached through the medium of a spring arm vto an inertia member 1e which is liingedly mounted at 15 to a support 16 which comprises a grip 17 and legs 18 preferably equipped with padded foot members 19. The inertia member 14 extends in both directions from its pivot 15,y one end 20 forming an abutment for an adjustment screw 21 which is employed to determine thelangular dip of the other end of the inertia member upon which is integrally mounted an amplifying reproducer 22 comprising an enclosed air chamber or sound box having avdiaphragm closing one end thereof and subject to vibrations from the transmitter button, the other end of the arm 13 being. operatively attached to the center thereof. f

Arising from the reproducer are suitable tubes 2-1 to which are attached the usual rubber tubes indicated in dottedlines 25 and which are intended to lead to the usual ear pieces (not shown). Y

The inertia member 14 is yieldably pressed toward the adjusting screw 21 by a spring 26 fixed to thc support 16 and permits of an excellent control nof pressure between the Ytransmitter 1Q and the surface which is to be examined while permitting ofa" very firm and non-interfering pressure from the legs 1S thereon. 13l are orices similar to 2a of Figure 1 and for a like purpose.

If it be desired, a spring 27 or its equivalent may be empioyed to resist direct pressure on the button 12 and so prevent such pressure being transmitted to the` diaphragm of the reproducer.

It will be apparent that numerous modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of my invention and I, therefore, desire to be limited in the application and vconstruction thereof only by the scope of the appended claims. 1Jl/*hat I claim is: Y

1. In a stethoscope, an amplifying reproducer, al resilient mounting 'for said reproducer, a transmitter, and a leverage connection between saidy transn'iitter and said reproducer. f l

2. In a stethoscope, a vibration amplifying means, a resilient mounting for said means, a transmitter button, a leverage connection between said transmitter button and said means, and a support for said resilient means extending downwardly about said transmitter. v j

' 8. In a stethoscope, a vibration amplifying means, a resilient mounting for said means,

a transmitter, a leverage connection between said transmitter and said means, and a support for said resilient means extending downwardly about said transmitter, said resilient means beinel adjustable as to height relative to said transmitter.

l. ln a stethoscope, a vibration amplifying means, a resilient mounting for said means, a transmitter, a leverage connection between said transmitter andsaid means, and a support for said resilient means extending downwardly about said transmitter, said support having a resilient base for yieldingly contacting the surface to which the stethoscope may he applied. y

5. In a stethoscope, an amplifying reproducer comprising an enclosed air column havl atory disc enclosing one endv thereof, a resilient mounting for said reproducer, said mounting being adapted to absorb vibrations other than those transmitted directly to said disc, and a transmitter for contacting a vibrating member, said transmitter beoperatively connected to said disc.

(3. ln a stethoscope, an amplifying reprodueer compr'sing an enclosed air column having a vibratory disc enclosing one end thereof, a hingedly mounted transmitter operatively connectedto said disc, said reproducer and said transmitter bei-ng carried by a viiration absorbing mounting, and a support or upholding said mounting and adapted to sustain said transmitter in operative posiwith respect to a vibrating surface.

7. ln a stethoscope, an amplifying reproducer comp mg an enclosed air column having a vibratory disc enclosing one end thereof, a hingedly mounted arm operatively connected to said disc, a hingedly mounted beam operatively connected to said arm, a transmitter carried by said beam intermediate the ends thereof and a support for said reproducerv`v said arm and said beam supporting said transmitter in operative relation with respect to a vibrating surface.

S. ln a stethoscope, an amplifying reproducer comprising an enclosed air column having a vibrator-y disc enclosing one end thereof, a pivotally mounted arm operatively connected to said di 'c, a hingedly mounted beam operatively connected to said arm, a transmitter carried by said beam intermediate the ends thereof and a vibration dampening support for said reproducer, said arm and sai d beam, and a mounting for carrying said support and for maintaining said transmitter in operative relation with a vibrating surface.

9. ln a steth "ope, an ampliil 7ing reproducer comprising an enclosed air column having vibrator-y dise enclosing one end thereof, a hingedly mounted arm operatively connected to said disc, a l'iingedly mounted beam operatively connected to said arm, a trimsmitter carried by said beam intermediate the ends thereof and a vibration dampening support for said reproducer, said arm and said beam, and a mounting for carrying` said support and for maintaining said transmitter in operative relation with a vibrating surface, said mounting having a resilient base io directly contact said surface.

l0. In a stethoscope, an amplifying reprolucer comprising an enclosed air column having a v.nratory disc enclosing one end t iereof, a hingedly mounted transmitter operatively connected t said disc, said reproneer and said transmitter being carried by vibration absorl'iing mounting, and a supor!y for upholding said mounting and adaptd to sustain said transmitter in operative Nes;

i, osition lwith respect to a vibrating surface,

d mounting being adjustably attached on d support permit of adjustment of said smitter with respect to said surface.

in a stethoscope, an amplifying reproducer compri ing an enclosed air column' having a vibratoiy dise enclosing one end thereof, a hingedly mounted arm operatively connected to said disc, a hii'igedly mounted beam opera'li rely connecte-fl to said arm, a trans- Ci n mitte." carried by sa d beam intermediate the eiids tliereot, and a vibration dampemng support for said reproducer, said arm and said beam, and a mounting for carrying said support and for maintaining said transmitter in operative relation with a vibrating surfa said mounting ha ing a resilient base for directly contacting said surface, said mounting and said support being adjustably secured as to height to permit a pressure of 'variable magnitude between said surface and said transmitter.

12. ln a. stethoscope, a hollow resilient toroidal member, a rigid ring member embedded therein substantially concentric therewith, a diaphragm centrally mounted in said member, a rigid disc also centrally mounted `in said member substantially above said ring,

thereby forming an air chamber in said member, a transmitter, a leverage means Aiingedly attached to said ring and cpe atively attached said diaphragm for supporting said transmitter, and means for supporting said toroidal member on a vilaiaiiiig surface to accommodate said transmitter` 13. ln a stethoscope, a hollow resilient toroidal member, a rigid ring member embedded therein substantially concentric therewith, a diaphragm centrally mounted in said member, a rigid disc also centrally mounted in said member substantially above said ring, thereby forming an air chamber in said member, a transmitter, an arm hiagedly connected to said ring and operatively attached to said diaphragm, a beam also hingedly connected to said ring and operatively connected to said arm, a transmitter mounted on said beam :intermediate the ends thereof, and supporting means for said member for maintaining ber, atransmitter,

' diaphragm centrally mounted in Vsaid said transmitter in operative position' with respect to a lvibrating surface.

14. In a stethoscope, a hollow resilient vto-V Y in said member substantially above said ring,

thereby forming an air chamber in said meman arm hingedly connected to said ring and operatively attached to said diaphragm, a beam alsoy connected to said ring and operatively connected to said arm at a point closer vto the hinge thereof than to the diaphragm center, a'tran-smitter substantialii beneath the 'center of said--dia hraom and supporting means for said member maintaining said transiii'itier operative position with respect to a vibrating surance.

15. In a stethoscope, a hollow resilient to-V roidal member, a id ring memberembedded therein substantially concentric tlierewith,-a

Y ineinber, aV rigid disc also centrally mounted in said member substantially above ring, thereby forming an air chamber in said member, a transmitter, an arm hiugedly connected 'to said ring and operaiively attached to said diaphragm, a beam also connected to 4said ring and hingedly connected to said arm at a point closer to the hinge thereof than to the diaphragm center, a tran-smit er substantially beneath the Vcenter of said diaphragm and a mounting adjustably secured to said member, said mouiiting'having Walls extending downwardly about said transmitter.

having av vibratory diaphragm enclosing one end thereof, beam supporting a transmitter button, said beam being operatively connected to said diaphr: gm at one end and si supported at its other-end whereby a port for said enclosed air column and saidv beam for maintaining said transmitter button in operative relation with a vibrating surface. 18. In a stethoscope, an'enclosed air column khaving a vibratory diaphragm enclosing one end thereof, a beam operatively connected to said diaphragm supporting a transmitter button, said button being receivable at a plurality i6. In a stethoscope, an enclosed air column g support is provided therefor, and a I 4support vfor said enclosed air column vand of points along the length of said beam whereby vibrations of different frequencies may be advantageously accommodated for transmission tosaid diaphragm, and a support for said enclosed air column, saidikbeam being hingedly mounted on said support.

19. In stethoscope, an .enclosed air column having a vibratory diaphragm enclosing one end thereof, a beam having aV transmitter.'

button adjustably mounted thereon to different positions along the length of the beam i to accommodate various vibration frequencies, a hinged arm operatively .connected to the enclosure of said air column and to said diaphragm, lsaid Vbeam being hingedly connected to said 'arm and yieldably connected'to said enclosure whereby said transmitter button is supported in a substantially 'floating mounting. 1 a

20. In a stethoscope, an enclosed ,aircolumn having a vibratory Vdiaphragm .enclosing one end thereof. a beam having a transmitter button adjustably mounted thereon to different positions along'the length ofthe beam toaccornmeal-ite various vibration frequencies, a hingedarm operatively connected to the enclosure of said air column and to said dia'- vphragiii, said beam being hingedly connected to sain arm and yieldably connected to saidV enclosure through the agency of a spring member positioned to depress said beam ,whereby-f said transmitter butt-on is supported iii a substantially floating mounting and Vmeans resisting body pressure on said diaporting said transmitter buttonand operatively connected to said diaphragm, a handle operatively carrying said diaphragm and said beam, and yieldable means resisting the movement of said button in the direction of said diaphragm.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

THEODORE J. CASE.

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